Advice wanted regarding crudely home made Air Pistol

[Vic Thompson]

Based on the number of views to date there's been a lot of passing interest in this item.

I might be wrong, but there doesn't seem to be any significant relationship between this item and any other known about Air Pistol designs. If that's right it makes it a "one off rather than a prototype". At a glance it looks as if most of this item could be made up from salvaged parts using rudimentary tools except from the frame and the cocking link which at a guess could well have taken ages to make (unless again, they too are parts salvaged from something else).

Even with a reasonable workshop and based on just looking at it, it would take days to make, and yet it's worth very little today. I can't help thinking that it was a labour of love made for a young lad in austere times.

JMHO, Vic Thompson.

[AdeC]

Does it work?

[Garvin]

It has a hint of the French MAS about it, although the MAS has a very neat feature whereby the barrel moves forward on cocking to allow loading.

Difficult to value one-offs, obviously. I suppose the only way is to test the market and see.

[Mr. Gen]

What is the first stage let off like?

[magicesperanto]

Yes the cocking link is interesting, I assume it drops down to rest on the trigger guard after cocking, then needs some fiddling with the trigger and link to re-engage it.

[Vic Thompson]

As far as I am aware it's all there and as of today's date I have cocked and fired it once (but not something that I will do further for both Health and Safety and preservation of condition reasons).

Basically you pull the cocking lever down, fiddle with the Trigger (there's no Trigger Spring ?) in order to engage the Sear, fiddle with the cocking linkage in order to allow the cocking lever to return to the "closed position", and fire it at will (and in answer to the question posed in the above posting, the first stage (and only stage) let off is around three tons).

From the safety point of view I'd say that it does work, but that if anyone wanted to use it on a regular basis it shold be fitted with a weaker spring.

Vic T

[cringe]

As far as I am aware it's all there and as of today's date I have cocked and fired it once (but not something that I will do further for both Health and Safety and preservation of condition reasons).

Basically you pull the cocking lever down, fiddle with the Trigger (there's no Trigger Spring ?) in order to engage the Sear, fiddle with the cocking linkage in order to allow the cocking lever to return to the "closed position", and fire it at will (and in answer to the question posed in the above posting, the first stage (and only stage) let off is around three tons).

From the safety point of view I'd say that it does work, but that if anyone wanted to use it on a regular basis it shold be fitted with a weaker spring.

Vic T

I agree with Phil & Micky2, I love stuff like this, having made a few primitive guns myself in my youth. I am going to be a bit fanciful here but I can imagine a 13 year old blacksmith's apprentice in 1920's who can't afford a new Webley so he makes one to his own design, which is impressive! Having recently read "ccdjg"thread I suggest you let him have a look for potential rebuild or enhanced reproduction. this is part of airgun history. best regards cringe.

[lodmoor]

Well I quite like it as a curiosity, weird would be my comment, if you do decide to sell it please let me know. I am interested.